Support and control for electrical appliances



E. H. DRE-YER Jan. 17, 1939.

SUPPORT AND CONTROL FOR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES Filed Dec; 51, 1937 3Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 17, 1939. E, H DREYER 2,144,527

SUPPORT AND CONTROL FOR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES Filed Dec. 51, 1937 3Sheets-Sheet 2 IN SULATIO NEJULATION Jan. 17, 1939. E. H. DREYER SUPPORTAND CONTROL FOR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 3 Sheets-Shei 3 N M V zgwmmmz kmNW QR ma W m w R H m Nb 22.51am z Patented Jan. 17, 1939 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE SUPPORT AND CONTROL FOR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES Edwin H.Dreyer, Chicago, lilL, assignor of thirty percent to Edward F. Hendee,Chicago, 11].

Application December 31, 1937, Serial No. 182,846"

11 Claims.

nection with the use of certain types of electrical appliances.Frequently, the user, due to various distractions about the house, ordue entirely to inadvertence, leaves an appliance, such as a sadiron,connected to the electric current supply for relatively long periods oftime without using it, and, in many instances, leaves the home forsubstantial periods, with the appliance connected to the energy source.It is a well recognized, un-

fortunte but common occurrence to leave a sad-.

iron in operation unintentionally, resulting in burning of fabric,padding, ironing boards, and, in some instances, after prolongedperiods, burning through the floor of the home. In addition to attendantfire hazards and damage, there is also present the element of waste ofelectric current.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a novel structure ofthe character indicated, which obviates the foregoing difliculties.

Another object resides in the provision of a novel device of thecharacter described, having means for interrupting the current supply tothe appliance after said appliance remains on the support for apredetermined period of time.

A further object is to provide a novel support and control for anelectrical appliance, having means for varying the period of time beforecausing interruption of the current supply, in connection with anappliance of given weight.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear fromthe following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an ironing board with whichis'associated a sadiron carried on the support and control device,embodying the present invention.

Pg. 2 is a top plan view of my novel support and control device.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the device, taken asindicated at line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Y

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the device, taken as indicated atline 4-4 on Fig. 3, showing the mechanism in an operated position, withthe current supply connections shown in section. I

Fig. 5 is a face view of one of the current conductor plugs, taken asindicated at line 5-5 on Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 7 and 8 are transverse sections through the control mechanism,taken as indicated at lines 6-6, 1-1, and 8-4 respectively, on Fig. 3, 5with housing removed.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the ratchet drive, taken atline 9-9 on Fig. '7.

For purposes of illustration, I have herein shown a support and controldevice constructed 10 particularly for a sadiron, but it will beapparent that the device may be constructed for use with various otherappliances. In Fig. 1 of the drawings I have shown an ironing board Apro'-' vided with a laterally extending bracket B, which may projecteither from an end or side of the board. Removablymounted on the bracketis the supporting and control device constituting the present invention,and designated generally at C on which is supported'a sadiron indicatedat D, the device C being shown in an initial position of supportingadjustment for the iron. The iron D is provided with the usual electriccord E and a plug F connected in one of a pair of sockets on the deviceC, which are connected in series with a control switch, hereinafterdescribed. Connected to the other socket is a plug G having a cord Hwith a plug J on its other end for connection to a conventional plug orsocket of an electrical energy circuit.

The supporting and control device C includes a base l0, herein shown asof rectangular form, having downturned marginal flanges II at oppositesides. Mounted on said base, and connected thereto by bolts I2 is ahousing l3 having its 35 lower marginal edge offset, as may be seen inthe drawings, to seat on and surround said base. The side walls andfront wall of the housing are cut away as seen in Fig. 3 to provide fora limited range of vertical movement of a platform l4 which is hingedlyconnected at l5 to the rear upper end of said housing, the forward endbeing yieldingly supported in raised position by spring meanshereinafter described. The platform I4 is limited in its downwardmovement by the under side thereof engaging the upper edges of saidwalls of the housing ll. Depending from the sides and front of theplatform are skirt portions it and I! which serve to complement thehousing l3 to form a complete closure for the control mechanism; saidskirt portions being preferably dimensional to telescope over the sideand end walls of the housing IS. The upper surface of the platform I4 isprovided with aframelike member it having upstanding marginal ll 58which is keyed to a hub 5| of a gear 52 which flanges 2|!v to confinethe sadiron D thereon. and mounted within said frame I9 is a pad ofsuitable heat-resistant material 2| on which the iron is adapted torest. n

Mounted within the housing I3 on said base I8 is suitable mechanismhaving elements associated with the movable platform I4 and responsiveto the movement thereof for interrupting the supply of electrical"current to the. appliance, after the lapse of a predetermined intervalof time. Said means comprises a frame structure 25 pivotally mounted onone end on a horizontally disposed shaft26 mounted in brackets 21secured to said base, while the-other end of said frame is yieldinglyurged in an upwardly direction, as seen in Fig. 3, for returning and Imaintaining said platform I4 in a normalinoperative position. The frameincludes a pair of side members 29 and 38 the outer ends of which areconnected together by a shaft 3| on which is iournaled a pair oftransversely spaced-apart rollers 32, which, by movement of said frame25 are at all times in yielding contact with the under side of theplatform I4. Said frame 25 is urged in an upward direction by a beam 34one end of which is pivotally mounted on a pin 35, which, in turn, issupported in a pair of spaced-apart arms 36 of a bracket 31 connected tosaid base Ill. Connected to the pivoted end of the beam 34 and extendingdownwardly at substantially right angles thereto, is an arm 39 to thelower end of which is pivotally connected a clevis block 48, andconnected to said block is a pair of springs 42 the opposite ends ofwhich are connected to a fitting 43 mounted on a screw 44 extendingthrough a bracket 45 carried on said base- I8. Mounted on the screw 44are adjusting nuts 46 and- 41 by virtue of which the block 43 may bemoved in or out for varying the tension on the springs 42. The springs42 act-- Carried on the shaft 26 within the bifurcated I end of theframe member 29 is a ratchet wheel is iournale'd onsaid shaft. Saidratchet wheel 58 is actuated to rotate the gear 52 in response to thedownward movement of the platform l4 by the weight of an appliance uponsaid platform. The means for imparting motion from the platform to theratchet wheel includes a connecting rod 54 connected at its upper end tothe shaft 3| carried by said frame members 29 and 30 while its lower endis pivotally connected to an arm 55 of a bell crank 56 pivoted on a pin51 journaled in the upstanding arms of a bracket 58 secured to said baseI0. The other arm 59 of said bell crank extends in an upward andrearward direction, and has a lever 60 pivotally connected thereto atits outer end; the opposite end of said lever 60 is pivotally connectedbetween a pair of radius arms 6| which arms are journaled on the shaft26 on opposite sides of the ratchet wheel 50; and pivotally connected tosaid radius arms 6| is a ratchet pawl 63 positioned for one-wayactuation, to wit, by the downward movement of the frame in response todepression or downward movement of the platform I4. It will be observedthat the location and form of the ratchet and the driving connectionstherefor is such that the ratchet normally, by the influence of gravity,causes its hooked end to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 58 incounter-clockwise movement, while in the opposite direction of movementsaid pawl will be caused to cam over the teeth of the ratchet wheel.

Mounted on said shaft 26 inwardly of gear 52 is a gear 65 having a hub66 on which is fixedly mounted a pinion 6'I. Disposed rearwardly of theshaft 26 is a frame 68 connected to said base I0 and providing Journalsupport fora shaft 69 on which is rigidly mounted a pinion Ill meshingwith the gear 52; and rigidly attached to said shaft 89 is a gear IImeshing with the pinion 61 which, with the gear 65, is looselyjournaled'on the shaft 26. Journaled in said frame 68 in substantiallyaxial alignment with shaft.69 is a shaft I2 on which is rigidly mounteda pinion I3 meshing with gear 65. Securely attached to the outer end ofsaid shaft I2 is a gear I4, which, in turn, meshes with a pinion I5formed as part of the hub of a brake wheel II which is journaled on astub shaft I6, and supported in said frame 68. The brake wheel isslightly eccentric, the purpose of which is to cause said wheel to servesomewhat in the nature of a fly-wheel for obtaining a more or lessuniform speed of movement of the gear train.

It will now be apparent that when the frame 26 is depressed by thedownward movement of the platform I4 the ratchet wheel 58 drives gear 52and, in turn, pinion I8. Due to fixed mounting of pinion Ill and gear IIof shaft 69 gear II drives pinion 61 and gear 65 drives pinion I3 andgear 14 drives pinion I5 thus causing rotation of the brake wheel II andproviding a gear train which, in effect, is a motion-reducing mechanismwhich, in the present case, serves as a timing mechanism.

Associated with the brake wheel II is a brake block I8 carried by aflexible band I9hingedly mounted at 88, and at its lower end to the baseportion of the frame 68, as may be seen in Fig. 3. The upper end of saidband 19 is rigidly secured to a control block 8| pivotally mounted at82' in upstanding arms 83" on the top of the frame 68. Rigidly connectedto said block 8i is a depending lever arm 82 'the lower end of which ispivotally connected at 83 to a rod 84 the outer end of which is threadedin a block 85, pivotally connected to the lower end of a substantiallyverticallydisposed lever 86. Said lever 86 is pivotally connected at 81at its upper end to a bracket 88, which, in turn, is rigidly attached tothe base It). Rigidly associated with the lever 86 is a cam 89 which isadapted to be engaged by a pin 98 projecting inwardly from the framemember 38.

It will be obvious that, as the platform I4 is moved downwardly underthe weight of the appliance, itnormally has a tendency to accelerate orincrease its speed as it moves toward its lower limit. In order toinsure a somewhat uniform rate of speed,-the brake wheel II with thebrake block 18 is applied with a force somewhat proportional to whatwould be the normal speed of acceleration of the platform I4. Thus, asthe platform moves downwardly, the stud 98 engages the cam 89 andthrough the lever 86 and rod 84 causes movement of the lever 82 to swingthe pivot block 8| for moving the upper end of the band slightlyupwardly, tending-to straighten said band, and thereby apply slightlyincreased pressure of the shoe 18 against the brake wheel 11 and thusretard the speed of the gear train which is actuated by the downwardmovement of the platform, as above described.

As will be presently described, the platform I4 as it approaches itslower limit of movement,

opens a control switch for interrupting the current supply circuit forthe appliance. To vary the period of time required for actuating thecontrol switch, the cam member 88 may be ad- Justed with respect to stud88 by adjustment of the rod 84 in the block 85; or, if desired, the cam88 may be movably mounted on the lever 88 for accomplishing the samepurpose, namely, variation of the time element required for causingoperation of the control switch after initiating downward. movement ofthe platform I4.

The lever 88 and the linkage connected thereto to the brake band I8 isreturned to normal inoperative position by a coil spring 8I connected tosaid lever 88 and to a bracket 82 which is rigidly attached to a switchblock 88 which is composed of insulating material, and secured on .suchbase I8.

Mounted inthe face of the switch block 88 is a pair of spaced-apartelectrical contacts 84 and 85 which normally are bridged by anelectrical contact 88 carried on the end of a block insulating material81 which, in turn, is rigidly mounted on a rock shaft 88 which isjournaled in the switch block 83 and in a support 88 rigidly attached tothe base I8. Rigidly connectedto the outer end of said shaft 88 is anupwardly extending arm I88 the upper end of which is curved. and extendsbetween a pair of spaced-apart studs I82 and I83 on the beam 84.Surrounding the shaft 88 and reacting between the bracket 88 and theinsulating block 81 is a compression spring I84 which tends toyieldingly maintain the contact 86 in a fixed position of adjustment.

It will now be apparent that, as the platform I4 moves downwardly therollers 82 will be caused to ride on the under surface of said platform,thereby depressing the frame 25 and the beam 34 against the reaction ofsprings 42 and as said platform approaches its lower limit of movement,the stud I82 engages the switch arm I88 camwise, swinging the contactblock 81 in clockwise direction, and moving contact 88 out of engagement with contact 85 and thereby opening the electrical current supplycircuit to the appliance;

and when the sadiron, D, or other appliance, is

removed from the platform, said platform is returned to normal positionby the force of springs 42 acting, on the beam 34 and thence throughframe 25 as above described. Such upward movement of the beam 34 causesthe stud I83 to engage cam-wise with the under side of the lever arm'I88 thereby swinging the contact block 81 to the position seen in Fig.3, at which the contact 88 again bridges contacts 84 and 85 forre-establishing the current supply circuit to the appliance. Theplatform is arrested or stopped at its upper or normal supportingposition due to the arrangement of rod 54, bell crank 56, lever 58, andradius arms 8|, which become blocked by lever 88 tending to push pivotof radius arms 88 in substantially horizontal rearward direction.

Associated with the contacts 84 and 85 are terminals I85 and I86, which,through conductor wires I81, I88 are connected in series with the outletsockets to which the plugs F and G are connected. Said outlet socketsinclude a block I88 of insulating material, mounted on said base I8, andone of said outlet sockets includes a pair of spring contact membersII8, III the latter being connected to the conductor wire I81, and theother socket includes a conventional pair of spring contact fingers H2and H8, the former being connected to the end of conductor wire I88;

the other contacts H8 and H8 of .the respective cated, the sadiron D.The other outlet, including the contact fingers H2 and II 3 is adaptedto be engaged by the prongs carried by a conventional plug G, which,through conductor wires comprising the cord H and plug J is adapted tocomplete the circuit to a source of electrical energy.

It will now be apparent that the control switch actuated in response tomovement -of the platform I4 is connected in series with the two socketscomprising the pairs of electrical contacts I I8, III and H2, H3respectively. Therefore, when the control switch is opened by movementof the contact 86, out of engagement with contact 85, the current supplyto the appliance or sadiron is interrupted.

I have herein disclosed a novel and practical construction by virtue ofwhich the electric current supply to an electrical appliance may bepositively interrupted after the appliance is permitted to remain uponthe support or platform V I4 for a predetermined period of time, and theelectric current supply circuit is immediately reestablished uponremoval of the appliance from the platform.

Although I have herein shown and described one embodiment of myinvention, manifestly it is capable of substantial modification andrearrangement and substitution of parts without departing from thespirit and scope thereof, I do not, therefore, wish to be understood aslimiting this invention to the precise embodiment herein disclosed,except as it may be so limited in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A control for an electrical circuit, comprising in combination, abase, a support movably mounted on said base and adapted to provide asupport for and be actuated by the weight of a body, means forcontrolling the speed of movement of the support and body, means forvarying the speed of movement of the support for a body of given weight,a switch mounted on the base and connected in series in the electricalcircuit to be controlled, and means for actuating the switch after saidsupport has moved a predetermined amount.

2. A control for an electrical circuit, comprising in combination, abase, a support movably mounted on said base and adapted to provide asupport for and be actuated by the weight of a body, means forcontrolling the speed of movement of the support and body, means-tendingto maintain a uniform rate of speed of said support and body, a switchmounted on the base and connected in series in the electrical circuit tobe controlled, and means for actuating the switch after said support hasmoved a predetering in combination, a base including an upstanding wallforming a box-like structure, a movable platform hingedly connected atone end to the upper portion of the wall of said base, said platvformbeing provided at certain of its marginal edges with depending skirtportions adapted to be moved in telescopic relation to the wall of saidbase, means actihg on the opposite end of the platform for yieldinglymaintaining it in approximately horizontal position, said platform beingadapted to provide support for and be depressed by the weight of a body,means for controlling the speed of depression of the platform, a switchmounted on the base and connected in series in the electrical circuit tobe controlled, and means for actuating the switch for opening theelectrical circuit after said platform has been depressed apredetermined amount.

5. A control for an electrical circuit, comprising in combination, abase, a movable platform hingedly connected at one end to said base,means acting on they opposite end of the platform for yieldinglymaintaining it in approximately horizontal position, said platform beingadapted to provide support for and be depressed by the weight of a body,said means including a frame pivoted at one end to said base, and theopposite end yieldingly engaging the free end of the platform fornormally urging it in an upwardly direction, means for controlling thespeed of depression of the platform, a switch mounted on 6. A controlfor an electricalcircuit, comprising in combination, a base, a movableplatform hingedly connected at one end to said base, means acting on theopposite end of the platform for yieldingly maintaining it inapproximately horizontal position, said platform being adapted toprovide support for and be depressed by the weight of a body, saidmeans-including a frame pivoted at one end to said base, and theopposite end yieldingly engaging the free end of the platform fornormally urging it in an upwardly direction, a pair of transverselyspaced-apart rollers carried on the free end of the frame and engagingthe undersurface of said platform,

means for controlling the speed of depression of the platform, a switchmounted on the'base and connected in series in the electrical circuit tobe controlled, and means for actuating the switch for opening theelectrical circuit after said platform has been depressed apredetermined amount.

7. A control for an electrical circuit, comprising in combination, abase, a movable platform hingedly connected at one end to said base,means acting on the opposite end of the platform for yieldinglymaintaining it in approximately horizontal position, said platform beingadapted to provide support for and be depressed by the weight of a body,said means including a frame pivoted at one end to said base and theopposite end yieldingly engaging the free end of the platform fornormally urging it'in an upwardly direction, a roller carried on thefree end of the frame and engaging the under side of the platform, meansfor controlling the speed of depres slon of the platform, a switchmounted on the base and connected in series in the circuit to becontrolled, and means connected to the switch and actuated by the frameafter ithas moved downwardly a predetermined amount for open- 1 18 saidswitch.

8. A control for an electrical circuit, comprising in combination, abase, a movable platform hingedly connected at one end to said base,means acting on the opposite end of the platform for yieldinglymaintaining it in approximately horizontal position, said platform beingadapted to provide support for andbe depressed by the weight of a body,said means including a frame pivoted at one end to said base, and theopposite end yieldingly engaging the free end of the platform fornormally urging it in an upwardly direction, means for controlling thespeed of depression of the platform, said control means includi g a geartrain and a ratchet driving connection thereto, operatively connectedtosaid pivoted frame, a switch mounted on the base and connected in seriesin the electrical circuit to be controlled, and means for actuating theswitch for opening the circuit after said platform has been depressed apredetermined amount.

9. A control for an electrical circuit, comprising in combination, abase, a movable platform hingedly connected at one end to said base,means acting on the opposite end of the platform for yieldinglymaintaining it in approximately horizontal position, said platform beingadapted to provide support for and be depressed by the weight of a body,said means including a frame pivoted at one end to said base, and theopposite end yieldingly engaging the free end of the platform fornormally urging it in an upwardly direction, means for controlling thespeed of depression of the platform, said controllmeans including a geartrain, a ratchet driving connection thereto, operatively connected tosaid pivoted frame, and a brake for said gear train actuated to anincreased degree as the acceleration of the platform increases in itsdownward movement, a switch mounted on the base and connected in seriesin the electrical circuit to be controlled, and means for actuating theswitch for opening the electrical circuit after said platform has beendepressed a predetermined amount.

10. A control for an electrical circuit, comprising in combination, abase, a movable platform hingedly connected at one end to said base,means acting on the opposite end of the platform for yieldinglymaintaining it in approximately horizontal position, said platform beingadapted to provide support for and be depressed by the Y weight of abody, said means including a frame pivoted at one end to said base,andthe opposite end yieldingly engaging the free end of the platform fornormally urging it in an upwardly direction, means for controlling thespeed of depression of the platform, said control means including a geartrain, a ratchet driving connection thereto, operatively connected tosaid pivoted frame, and a brake for said gear train actuelectricalcircuit after said platform has been depressed a predetermined amount.

11. A control for an electrical circuit, comprising in combination, abase, a movable platform hingedly connected at one end to said base,means acting on the opposite end of the platform for yieldinglymaintaining it in approximately horizontal position, said platform beingadapted to provide support for and be depressed by the weight of a body,said means including a frame pivoted at one end to said base, and theopposite end yieldingly engaging the fre end of the platform fornormally urging it in an upwardly direction, means for controlling thespeed of depression of the platform, said control means including a geartrain. a ratchet driving connection thereto, operatively connected tosaid pivoted frame, a brake for said gear train, and means responsive tothe downward movement of said frame for actuating the brake to anincreased degree as the acceleration of the platform in-

